CND Press Roundup Tuesday 8th November 2022

War In Ukraine / NATO

• Russia’s Kommersant reports that US and Russian officials have discussed the possibility of talks on strategic nuclear weapons – the first since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

• Over 40 parliamentarians from 13 countries have written a letter that condemns both Russian nuclear rhetoric as well as “responses from other governments that imply possible retaliation with nuclear weapons and by abstract commentary and analysis examining scenarios in which nuclear weapons might be used in the Ukraine conflict and evaluating the consequent military implications.” Read the full text here.

• The Mirror picks up on claims made by Russian state TV that its nuclear weapons could reach London in nine minutes.

• Global Construction Review: ‘It can’t go on like this’: Power restored to Ukrainian nuclear plant but situation untenable, says IAEA.

British Nuclear Weapons / Trident

• One of Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines – HMS Victorious – had to abort its mission and undertake a rare resurface, after a fire broke out on board the vessel. The Telegraph reports that the incident happened about six weeks ago.

• Meanwhile, a whistleblower told STV that staff at the Royal Navy staff at bases in Clyde and Coulport were moved after a “serious radiation breach.”  

• The Mirror picks up on the decision not to award a medal of recognition to Britain’s nuclear test veterans. While the body that awards medals is independent from the government, Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey said the rules “state clearly that the Prime Minister can personally make a direct recommendation” to King Charles on medal issues.

• The Mirror also runs a column: “Nuclear weapons are harmless, if you believe a government that says they’re vital.”

• An official from the US airbase at Lakenheath issued a warning of night flying exercises this week. The spokesperson added: “Training during hours of darkness provides both aircrews and support personnel stationed at RAF Lakenheath the experience needed to maintain a ready force capable of supporting mutual security agreements between the US and UK in addition to ensuring the collective defense of NATO.”

UK Nuclear Energy

• Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron spoke on the sidelines of the COP 27 summit in Egypt – where the two agreed upon fresh cooperation in Britain’s nuclear industry. The proposed deal could see France take joint control of the Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk.

• Reuters also looks at the above Anglo-French nuclear cooperation.

• From The FT: Nuclear fusion power edges from fantasy to reality. Investors are crowding in on the promise of ‘unlimited clean energy’.

• Cumbria-based engineering firm Forth has been awarded two contracts for nuclear decommissioning work at Hinkley Point and “to design and install active effluent pumping facilities at Magnox’s SGHWR and Dragon reactors in Winfrith.”

Nuclear Energy

• Reuters: Finland’s OL3 nuclear reactor remains offline as probe continues.

• Beyond Nuclear looks at Poland’s decision to move towards nuclear power, calling the deal brokered with the US as the purchase of “a triad of American nuclear lemons.”

• Beyond Nuclear has an article on global uranium supply and demand.

Fukushima

• An IAEA team is in Fukushima to conduct marine sampling near the site of the damaged nuclear reactor.